Laura Hinchliff

I am investigating velvet swimming crab populations in Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea coast of the Ards Peninsula to enhance sustainability and welfare. There is currently little data on which to base the sustainable exploitation of this species as it is a relatively new fishery in Northern Ireland. Studies of abundance, population structure and breeding seasons will provide important baseline information, as well as assessing the effects of fishing methods to enhance catch and reduce losses. The effects of handling and live transport will be studied to optimize crab survival; from this, recommendations for best practice can be made to the fishing industry.